Break in period for new 04 Dodge Truck 3500

[Dick Garcia]

Can some one tell me what Dodge is recommending for the break in period for the new 04 Dodge Diesel cummins engine, 3500 truck? How many miles at what speed? etc. etc.

Thanks

 

[MABurns]

They recommend not towing for the first 500 miles, vary your speed, no exessive idleing and try not to lug the engine.



After 500--Drive it like the Federales are chasing you. First 500 miles of towing should be done at a slower speed (but I think that is more for the AAM than the engine)

 

[Kerm]

I just got mine about a month and a half ago. I had the same questions so I will try and remember what all said. You want to make the first drive between 50-100mi, and then let the thing cool all the way down (like several hours, I let mine usually sit over night). Do the same thing once or twice more before any extensive highway driving. This is to brake-in the pinion bearing. Don't let the truck idle any longer than necessary. Just start the thing up and take off if possible. DO NOT USE CRUSE CONTROL! You want to be constantly varying speeds when possible(to prevent glazing the pistons). City driving is good for break-in. If you have a good size trailer load it up with a couple thousand pounds and pull it around a little. They recommend waiting till after 500mi before doing it though. Also do not exceed 50 mi while towing for the first 500mi (that is what the owners manual said, I could not resist! I only lasted about 150-200!!). Also, I changed my oil after about 1000mi just in case there was any fine debris from assembly and break-in. But, really after about 500mi you should really just start enjoying the truck! That joker has got alot of power! Get out and enjoy it!

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I agree with Kerm, leave the Cruise OFF for the first few hundred miles and avoid freeway trips where you're running fairly constant speed and only using 1 gear. You're breaking in more than just the engine. I drove mine mostly around town and rural roads where I was constantly stopping and going, using all gears and running through a wide RPM range and throttle usage, and exercising the brakes.



I would avoid WOT for at least the first 100-200 miles but don't featherfoot it either.



Have fun and enjoy your new ride Dick!



Vaughn

 

[GCrowell]

WOT

I'm sure it has been covered before but couldn't find an answer with a search.



So, wot is WOT



George

 

[Bertram65]

Wide Open Throttle...

 

[GCrowell]

Thanks,







I knew that

 

[Kerm]

P. S. Forgot one thing

DON"T LUG THE MOTOR!!!!!!!

 

[GCrowell]

I've heard that from a number of sources but never quite understood just why lugging the motor was bad. Can someone enlighten me?

George

 

[Jengle]

Lugging is running it in too high a gear for your speed. Like skipping a gear on shifting and getting down too low on rpms and making it power through to the powerband. Or not downshifting early enough.